Rohail Hyatt’s vision has been a major factor – besides Standard Chartered Priority Night and Uth Records – in revolutionizing the music industry of Pakistan. The days of our artists being sidelined by the neighboring entertainment industry were over as Coke Studio opened up with a bang!

And over a period of time, the amazing show that we call “Coke Studio” has produced some of the brightest stars of Pakistan to the entire world. Not only that, it has also helped promoting the music scene of Pakistan like no other.

As of today, Coke Studio has aired three successful seasons, and today we are going to take you back to the second season:

Season Two:

After an average beginning, Coke Studio embarked its return successfully with the second season in-between June-August of 2009. It aired five episodes which were titled Individuality, Harmony, Equality, Spirit, and Unity, respectively. This season of Coke Studio was unique and different than the first one as it caught the eye of public. Stars such as Atif Aslam, Ali Zafar, and Shafqat Amanat Ali participated, crediting it as a remarkable show. It even discovered the talented female duo Zeb and Haniya.

The highlights of Season Two:

Unlike the first season, the 2009 edition of Coke Studio produced several best songs by artists such as Atif Aslam, Ali Zafar, Shafqat Amanat Ali, Zeb and Haniya, and Sain Zahoor and Noori. Please note that the following ‘highlights of season two’ list is my personal favorite one, in chronological order.

8. Zeb and Haniya – Paimona

Coke Studio provided a solid platform for Zeb and Haniya to show-case their talent to the nation of Pakistan and they did live up to its hype. ‘Paimona’ is a beautiful song by the duo and it contains lyrics in Dari (a modern variety of Persian language, spoken in Afghanistan). Zeb and Haniya were the underdogs of the season 2 without a single doubt.

7. Sain Zahoor and Noori – Aik Alif

A song that truly blows up your mind, a song that is dedicated towards the almighty one, the GOD, and a song that explains what culture and tradition Pakistan has got. The Sufi singer Sain Zahoor provides strong vocals, whilst Ali Hamza and Ali Noor show amazing vocal abilities. In short, this is a song that one just cannot miss out.

6. Ali Zafar – Yar Daddi

Yet another Sufi track; this time it’s sung by the superstar Ali Zafar, who shows off his versatility as a singer. Yar Daddi is originally written by Khwaja Ghulam Fareed Sahib and it contains lyrics in the Siraiki language.

5. Atif Aslam – Mai Ni Main

Mai Ni Main is written by the poet Shiv Kumar Batalvi and this amazing poetry conveys a strong message regarding the greatest creation of God, which is none other than the Mother. Even though I don’t like the Atif Aslam version, but the music and the poetry is the only thing that is letting me to mention this beautiful composition.

4. Ali Zafar – Dastaan-E-Ishq

Dastaan-E-Ishq would simply be one of the best songs Coke Studio has ever produced. Ali Zafar is the man behind this wonderful creation and the expressions on his face will tell you what Sufi music is all about. One word about this song: breathtaking!

3. Ali Zafar – Nahi Ray Nahi

It’s Ali Zafar, again, in the second season, for the third time. And just like his other songs from this season, Nahi Ray Nahi is also dedicated towards the Almighty one. It is an inspiring rendition and all credit must be given to the man with voice of wonders, Ali Zafar.

2. Shafqat Amanat Ali – Kuch Ajab Khail

Kuch Ajab Khail is an aggressive song in which one is complaining the bitterness of the world to the GOD. The extra-ordinary, magnificent, and clearly the best artist of Pakistan in voice, range, clarity, and quality, Shafqat Amanat Ali is the vocalist of this song.

1. Atif Aslam – Jal Pari

Now before I begin writing on this song, let me proudly announce that I’m an Atif Aslam hater. And as much as I personally dislike Atif Aslam, I hate to admit that this version of Jal Pari is the best Coke Studio song that I have heard of and will be at the top of my list no matter what happens. Period. The musical arrangements in this song are nothing short of fantastic and the blending of Jal Pari to Tu Mera Dil Tu Meri Jaan of the late great Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is the best feature of the entire song.

*Stay tuned for the rest of the best of Coke Studio. And in the meanwhile, you can post your feedbacks/comments about what your favorite performances were and what you disliked about the Season Two of Coke Studio, and you could also check out the highlights of Coke Studio Season One.

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Pavan

List is incomplete coz it doesnot feature the cult songs i.e Kinara, Khamaaj, Chal Diye and Aj Latha Naeoo. BTW First season wasnot an average one. it’s just that it didnot enjoy much commercial success coz it was new

Danish Mughal

Yes, I do kinda agree with you. Aaj Latha Naeoo was the best among all in Season 2. Didn’t like Kinara, Khamaj etc much . But If I had made one list – Paimona, Aik Alif and Aaj Latha Naeeo must be given the top ranks.

Anyhow, good write-up by Hataf Siyal again.

Hataf Siyal

Yep, sorry for not including “Aaj Latha Naeeo”. I don’t know how I forgot this amazing track. This would be definitely be in the top 3, right before Ali Zafar’s “Nahi Ray Nahi”. Sorry for that bros. As for Khamaj, I don’t think the Coke Studio version of Khamaj sounded good – the original was way better.